Annual Report of Peabody Museum

NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED
March 11, 1908

The forty-first annual report of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology issued by Professor F. W. Putnam '62, speaks briefly of the work and importance of the Museum, and once more appeals for more room in which to store the constantly growing treasure resulting from gifts and explorations. The completion of the south wing of the University Museum would fill out the original design of Professor Agassiz, and would be particularly appropriate now, this year being the 100th anniversary of his birth.

By the generosity of Mr. Augustus Hemenway '75, a new case has been recently installed, which relieves the congestion of the halls, and provides room for part of the North American collection. The arrangement was further amplified by the substitution of more important objects recently in storage, for those of less importance to the exhibit. In the anthropological section, the divisions have been systematized for the convenience of comparative racial study.

One of the most important of the recent gifts is a series of colored copies of the mural paintings in the Temple of Tigers at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, reproduced by Miss A. C. Breton, and presented by Miss Breton and Miss Mary--Ware.

The largest and most important collection received by the Museum this year is from Mr. Thomas Barbour '06 and consists of objects and utensils from New Dutch Guinea, a region hitherto unrepresented. Mr. Lewis H. Farlow, who has given many specimens during the last six years, has contributed relies of the Pacific Coast Indians. Among other additions are those made by Dr. L. C. Jones and Mr. C. B. Moore '73. The collection of photographs has been enriched by the addition of over 130 prints. The funds of the institution have been used for expeditions as well as for purchase.

The South American Expedition which left last year under the leadership of Dr. W. C. Farrabee to study Peruvian ethnological remains, is nearly ended, and Dr. Farrabee is expected in Cambridge some time this spring. Mr. Teobert Maler and Mr. E. H. Thompson have continued their research work in Yucatan with considerable success.

In the United States, Mr. H. J. Spinden '06 led an expedition into the Nez Perce country last summer, Mr. R. E. Merwin explored in Ohto, and Mr. Ernest Volk continued his work in New Jersey.

The Museum library has received 115 new books and 711 pamphlets, making a total of 3472 volumes and 2435 pamphlets. The Museum also issued another of its series of Papers under the title. "A Commentary on the Dresden Codex" by Ernest Forsteman. A movement has been inaugurated to start a permanent library endowment.

In closing his report Professor Putnam speaks of the newly established Fellowship in Central American Research and sums up the official appointments in the department of Archacology and Ethnology.